FDA received 29 reports of problems associated with use of the product, including fatigue, muscle cramping, muscle pain, abnormal liver, and thyroid and cholesterol tests

Singapore: The US FDA has found that a vitamin B dietary supplement called B-50, which is manufactured by US-based Mira Health Products, contains two anabolic steroids. This has been cited as causing unusual hair growth in women and impotence in men and has thus led the FDA to issue warning to consumers to avoid the product. The product is sold through various websites and retail stores.

The product has been found to contain the steroids methasterone and dimethazine, both of which are potentially dangerous and are not listed on the label and should not be in a dietary supplement.

The FDA received 29 reports of problems associated with use of the product, including fatigue, muscle cramping, muscle pain, abnormal liver, and thyroid and cholesterol tests. Women who used the product reported unusual hair growth and missed menstruation, and men reported impotence and low testosterone.

The FDA revealed that the company could be liable to criminal prosecution if it continues to sell B-50. The FDA first became aware of the problem from a physician who treated 20 patients with similar symptoms of fatigue and muscle pain as well as abnormal lab tests. All the patients had been referred by another physician who had been prescribing a regime of dietary supplements.